Reports: Real Madrid eye 22-year-old striker to replace Karim Benzema
What's the story?
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Real Madrid to sign Portugal teammate Andre Silva from AC Milan, according to multiple reports in British news outlets. Los Blancos President, Florentino Perez, is in the market for a striker to replace Karim Benzema, and had previously shortlisted the likes of Mauro Icardi and Timo Werner. However, given Werner's 'auditory issues' and Icardi's much-publicised fallouts with teammates, Andre Silva seems to have become the favourite to replace Benzema - without making mention of the fact that he already dovetails well with Ronaldo.
Also Read: 5 things you need to know about 'Ronaldo's heir' Andre Silva
In case you didn't know...
Andre Silva popped around youth systems in Portugal, before joining FC Porto as a junior in 2011, aged 15. After some stellar seasons with the B team, Silva was given a regular run with the first team under Julen Lopetogui, with plenty of hype surrounding his performances for the senior side. It resulted in AC Milan parting with a massive fee of €40 million in the summer, with the Rossoneri also handing the youngster their iconic #9 shirt.
The heart of the matter
Things haven't gone too well for Andre Silva at AC Milan, however - the 22-year-old has not yet scored in 9 appearances in Serie A. However, curiously mirroring Cristiano Ronaldo's season so far, Silva has been lethal in Europe, scoring 8 times. The youngster has also netted 7 times for Portugal in 2017, as he has already shown he can partner with Ronaldo up top - in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Silva's malleability is reportedly why Ronaldo prefers him, as the Real Madrid talisman is concerned about the effect a disruptive personality like Mauro Icardi can have on the Los Blancos dressing room. In addition, Jorge Mendes also represents Andre Silva, and given the super-agent's close ties to Real Madrid and Cristiano, the move could go through with relative ease.
AC Milan's impending financial woes could see them forced into a sale in the summer, especially since Andre Silva hasn't been offered much reassurance by new manager Gennaro Gattuso.
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Author's Take:
Serie A is a notoriously tough league to score in, and given that Andre Silva was only afforded a few minutes by Vicenzo Montella, it would be harsh to judge him. Instead, his performances for Portugal and in the Europa League prove that Silva has what it takes. At the age of 22, he will eventually replace Karim Benzema as he blossoms, and will also ensure Cristiano Ronaldo remains satisfied.